Study on the Distribution and Bioaccumulation of Natural Radionuclides, ²¹⁰Po and ²¹⁰Pb in Parangipettai Coast, South East Coast of India

449-455Water, sediment and Biota (plankton, seaweeds, prawn, crabs, gastropods, bivalves and fish) samples collected from the study region were subjected to analyses of  210Po and 210Pb. It showed non-uniform distribution of these radionuclides in the biota, in a descending order: molluscs > crustaceans > fishes. Concentration of 210Po and 210Pb were 1.65 mBq/l and 3.38 mBq/l in water samples and 4.38 Bq/kg and 2.31 Bq/kg in sediment samples respectively. Soft tissues and muscle of animals accumulated higher level of 210Po while shells and bones contained more 210Pb. Bivalve mollusc Perna viridis accumulated higher levels of both 210Po and 210Pb thus suggesting that this species can serve as a bioindicator in marine environment. Concentration factor of 210Po for the biotic components ranged from ~ 103 to ~104 while for 210Pb it ranged from ~ 102 to ~ 103